Chapter Nineteenth: The Imperial Guard of Yan Mountain's Left Wing

  Not to mention Zhu Bi, even Yao Guangxiao's shock was beyond words. This was his carefully thought-out plan, but who knew that Hao Fenglou had already come up with it in the time it took to burn an incense stick.

  Yao Guangxiao's breathing began to get heavier, looking at this young man who was somewhat inscrutable to him, he said word by word: "How to buy?"

  Hao Fenglou saw the expressions of Zhu Dian and Yao Guangxiao, and already knew that he had answered correctly. He smiled faintly and said: "I heard that Prince Yan has always been on good terms with Li Jinglong. When Prince Yan rebelled in Beiping, Li Jinglong led his army to suppress him, but was defeated and escaped back to Nanjing. The Emperor did not blame him, instead entrusting him with important tasks, ordering him to inspect the city's defenses. Li Jinglong's reputation is not good, I had heard about his many misdeeds when I was in Songjiang. If at this time, Prince Yan were to write a letter explaining the situation, it would be clear that Li Jinglong is greedy for life and afraid of death. Since his defeat, he has been fearful of Prince Yan, and with Prince Yan now appearing outside Nanjing, it's only a matter of time before he enters the city. Therefore, I believe Li Jinglong will definitely surrender."

  Choosing Li Jinglong as the breakthrough point is simply a stroke of genius. On one hand, he's a selfish and cowardly person who fears death. On the other hand, he had an emotional connection with the Prince of Yan from their childhood playtime. More importantly, many people may not know about the Prince of Yan's prowess, but Li Jinglong does - he once led troops to quell the Prince of Yan in Beiping and was easily defeated despite having tens of thousands of soldiers. A selfish and cowardly person who has personally experienced the Prince of Yan's might, yet also had a childhood friendship with him, is the easiest to manipulate. Others may have confidence in defending Nanjing, but he does not. While others are loyal, he is self-serving and only thinks of himself. As for their past emotions, it can be used as a means of temptation - at least he can be certain that based on their past relationship, the Prince of Yan will not make things difficult for him if he enters Nanjing.

  Is there anyone better than this in the world?

  Zhu Dian's eyes narrowed slightly, and at this moment, he had to re-examine Hao Feng Lou again. This guy was simply a freak. Immediately, he smiled bitterly and took out a letter from his pocket, saying lightly: "Do you know what this letter is?"

  Hao Feng Lou said: "Isn't it a letter written by King Yan to Li Jing Long?"

  "It is indeed so." Zhu Di suddenly stood up, slightly showing a few points of excitement, his tiger eyes fell on Hao Feng Lou's body: "The lonely king had this intention early, to break Nanjing, it must be said that Li Jinglong cannot be lowered. You see, this is the letter from the lonely king to Li Jinglong, hoping he can understand the great justice."

  Zhu Dian's gaze at Hao Feng Lou became appreciative, if it was said that at first, it was just a momentary infatuation, wanting to see what this self-sufficient and independent person looked like, but now he couldn't help but look at Hao Feng Lou with new eyes.

  He glanced at Monk Yao Guangxiao, and Yao Guangxiao smiled faintly: "Hao Gongzi, the poor monk keeps his word, from now on, you will be the poor monk's disciple."

  Hao Fenglou was quite willing to accept, who is Yao Guangxiao? That's the trusted person among Zhu Di's confidants, with a high status in the Yan army. Throughout the whole Jingnan campaign, it was almost all planned and implemented by this person, who was the core figure of the Yan army. It seems not bad for such a person to accept me as his apprentice.

  Zhu Dian saw that Hao Fenglou was still standing there motionless, and couldn't help but puff out his chest and say: "What's wrong with you? Since you've taken me as your master, you should have the demeanor of a disciple. Hurry up and pay respects to your benevolent teacher."

  Hao Fenglou hesitated slightly, sighed in his heart, and thought that he had a fatherly master in his previous life, and now another one came. He bowed respectfully and said: "Honorable Master above, your disciple pays respects."

  Yao Guangxiao pressed his hands together, and asked Hao Fenglou to get up. "This is a military camp, so let's dispense with the formalities. With Prince Yan's presence as witness, performing the ritual of becoming sworn brothers will suffice." He was originally someone who disliked complicated etiquette, and he glanced at Zhu Di before continuing, "Prince Yan, this disciple of mine may not be accomplished, but his achievements are quite impressive. I just don't know how you plan to deploy him."

  Zhu Dian burst out laughing: "You've just accepted a disciple and you're already thinking of securing a future for your own disciple. Alright, although he has made great contributions, after all, he's still young. The Lonely King will temporarily appoint him as the Left Guard of Yan Mountain, how about that?"

  Hao Feng Lou couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. Nima, it's just a small flag? What's the difference between this and Bi Ma Wen?

  Yao Guangxiao saw Hao Fenglou's disappointed face, but smiled and said: "What, you think it's not good? This Yan Shan Left Guard is the prince's personal guard camp. Most of the sons of meritorious officials are satisfied to be enrolled as a lieutenant in the imperial guards. The King of Yan has entrusted you with this small flag, which is a great favor, and you don't even thank him?"

  Hao Feng Lou seems to have understood that the Left Guard of the Yan King is somewhat like the officer corps of modern national armies, all of whom are sons of meritorious nobles who serve as officers, specializing in protecting the safety of the Yan King, with great responsibility and a bright future.

  Hao Feng Lou has some understanding of the system of the Ming Dynasty. Many times, the level is not important, what matters is the future. For example, a Hanlin's compiler is only a small official of the seventh rank, but don't underestimate this seventh-rank official, he may become a prime minister in ten or twenty years. As for the so-called Bu Zheng Shi and Zhi Fu, although their ranks are high, they have little chance of making great achievements. The Yan Shan Left Guard is equivalent to the Hanlin Academy among military officials. Although the small flag is not mainstream, it is only equivalent to a squad leader in the army in later generations, but comparing it to a Gong Shi in the Hanlin Academy is not excessive.

  Hao Fenglou had no choice but to thank him for his kindness.

  Zhu Di's expression turned serious: "However, you don't need to rush into office, the Lonely King still has an important task to entrust."

  Hao Feng Lou said: "Please instruct me, Your Highness."

  Zhu Dian stood up, with his hands behind his back: "Just now you proposed to persuade Li Jinglong to surrender, and the king and I coincidentally agreed. To persuade Li Jinglong to surrender, we need not only a trustworthy person but also someone who is quick-witted and cannot make any mistakes. The king thought about it over and over again and decided to let Ling Xue sneak into the city. Although she has excellent sword skills and can protect herself, she is still not cunning enough. Whether or not she can persuade Li Jinglong is crucial to the king's plan to pacify the country, which is no small matter. The king orders you to follow Ling Xue into the capital, and act according to circumstances. If the mission succeeds, the king will surely reward you heavily."

  “……” Hao Fenglou was stunned, he couldn't help but want to shout loudly: "Didn't you just say it's a nephew? Didn't you say to treat him as one of our own? Damn it, even one of our own has to go deep into enemy territory, has to risk his life, and has to survive against all odds?"

  Zhu Dian said lightly: "What's wrong, you're not happy?"

  Hao Feng Lou said: "My body is not very good."

  Zhu Dian looked at Yao Guangxiao, and Yao Guangxiao smiled and said: "Come, come, come, let me take your pulse."

  "This... " Hao Feng Lou felt quite tragic, having finally infiltrated the Yan army system, only to face a life-or-death situation again. He hesitated and said: "Your Highness, you just said you would treat me like a son or nephew, don't speak lightly."

  Zhu Dian glanced at Hao Feng Lou and smiled: "Firstly, the Lonely King is not a monarch, but only a vassal king... Secondly, the Lonely King rose up in arms to quell the chaos, for the sake of the people of the world, for the sake of his ancestors and the country's altars, for the great righteousness, how can he be stingy with his life? The Lonely King's eldest son has a disability, but the Lonely King ordered him to defend North Ping, when the imperial court led an army of 500,000 to besiege the city, he stood out, eating and sleeping with the soldiers, fighting without regard for his own life, battling for half a year. The Lonely King's two younger sons are brave warriors, the Lonely King ordered them to be the vanguard, they personally faced arrows and stones, also crawling out of the mountain of corpses and sea of blood. So the Lonely King asks you, do you still have anything to say?"

  Being Zhu Bi's son is not easy, Hao Feng Lou sighed, and then he had nothing to say. What can you say in the face of such a ruthless person? He doesn't even care about his own son's life, why would he care about yours? If you weren't his relative, it would be better. Now that you're his relative, he's even more ruthless and will use you until you die.

  "Alright, I'll give it a try."

  Hao Fenglou retreated and went out.

  Zhu Dian's face still had a hint of a smile, and Hao Feng Lou's appearance gave him a very deep impression. He glanced around, saying lightly: "What do you think of this person, sir?"

  Yao Guangxiao said, "He is a disciple of this poor monk, so naturally this poor monk will protect him. Therefore, this poor monk still does not praise his good deeds, lest Your Highness say that this poor monk recommends virtuous people without avoiding relatives."

  Zhu Dian burst out laughing and said, "This little guy has some potential, like a small wild horse, a bit unruly and fond of making small calculations, but it's hard to say if he'll become a thousand-mile horse in the future."

  Yao Guangxiao avoided this topic and said: "Your Highness really intends to put all his hopes on him?"

  "What? Does the master also have doubts about his own disciples?"

  Yao Guangxia stroked his beard: "The conquest of Nanjing is a major event and cannot afford any mistakes."

  Zhu Di nodded, his face solemnly said: "Not bad, so the Lonely King will send another scout to contact Gu Wang. After all, Gu Wang is the Lonely King's brother and is now in charge of Nanjing's defense. If this kid can't convince Li Jinglong, then we'll make a breakthrough from Gu Wang."

  Yao Guangxiao said: "Your Highness intends to send who is suitable?"

  Zhu Dian smiled slightly: "Zhang Yu's son Zhang Fu has grown up, and he has been eager to try recently. He is a cautious person with a gentle temperament. Several times, he came to the Lone King's place wanting to be the vanguard to avenge his father. Let him give it a try, little wolf cub, there will always be a day for hunting."